Rain (1932) {VCI Entertainment 90th Anniversary Blu-ray Review

Joan Crawford was an amazing actress award winning actress, probably best known for her role as Mildred Pierce. Some people may remember her battle with Bette Davis. Or maybe some people only remember the book Mommy Dearest by Christina Crawford that was filled with alleged emotional and physical abusive.

In 1932 Joan Crawford would be cast as the lead in Rain the film version of John Colton's 1923 play. While Joan Crawford loathed this film. Rain was also a critical and box office failure. But over the years it has began to receive the love it rightfully deserved.

Now the good folks at VCI Entertainment for the 90th anniversary of this film have decided to give this film a Blu-ray release complete with awesome bonus features. 

The film follows the passengers of a boat that must disembark to the island of Pago Pago due to a cholera scare onboard. At the small village on a Pacific island it incessantly rains. Among the stranded passengers are Sadie Thompson (Joan Crawford, Mildred Pierce), a prostitute, and Alfred Davidson (Walter Huston, Treasure of Sierra Madre), a missionary and his wife (Beulah Bondi, It's A Wonderful Life). While on the island Sadie lives it up with American soldiers stations at the village. She even captures the heart of Sgt. Tim O'Hara (William Gargan, Martin Kane Private Eye). Alfred Davidson has seen enough and makes it his mission to redeem her.

I think that the problem with this film is that it was way ahead of it's time. Joan Crawford plays the lead character to with an understated sexuality as the prostitute Sadie, while Walter Huston is powerful as the missionary seeking for the redemption of a woman's soul.

Rain has been restored in 4k and transferred in in 1080p and in the original 1.37:1 aspect ratio. The audio track is a Dolby Digital mono track. There is also English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. 

This new transfer truly is a thing of beauty. There is only very slight imperfections in the picture. For the most part the picture is crisp and clean and the audio is clear. For an almost 100 year old film to look this good is simply remarkable.

VCI was not happy with just giving film fans a remarkable restoration, oh no! They added some very neat bonus features to this Blu-ray release. Take a look at what is included.  


* Audio commentary featuring writer/historian Mick LaSalle

* Audio Commentary featuring with historian Richard Barrios.

* Unrestored version of the shorter, edited cut of the film

* Original trailer

* A Betty Boop cartoon entitled Poor Cinderella  

* Poster and Image gallery

* A booklet with an article by Marc Wanamaker

* Behind the scenes picture printed on the inside of the Blu-ray cover insert.


I feel it must be stated that this film deals with adult subject matter and can shed a light on prostitution and Christianity is a way that some my deem offensive. So I feel I should say viewer discretion is advised.

There is not doubt about it that this is a classic film and this new Blu-ray release is a kind of release it truly deserves. I special thank you to VCI Entertainment for putting so much love into this release.

If you love Joan Crawford, Walter Huston or classic cinema this new 90th anniversary edition Blu-ray release of Rain is an absolute must own for your Blu-ray collection. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today before they are gone. 
 

Out of 4 film reels (4 being the best) VCI Entertainment's Blu-ray release of Rain receives...